Sunday Dinner - X 20!

We decided with the new year, Steve's family would get together the third Sunday of every month for dinner. Still, with three of the six kids living in the Boise area, when it's your turn to host, it makes for a group of 20!

I guess you could stay Steve and I kinda headed this one up so we offered to have January's dinner at our house. The idea is that the family that is hosting the dinner will provide the main dish and then everyone else brings a side or dessert to go along with what is being served. Still, cooking chicken divan for 20 people instead of my usual four was quite the experience. ( I've never used a whole bag of chicken on one meal!) Needless to say, It's a favorite so everyone was happy there was plenty to go around.

The teenage girls always seem to find a spot at any family gathering to chat and catch up. Five girls and four different schools makes for never a dull moment!

These boys love to be together and this girl is quite the Daddy's girl. Loves to hang with her Dad any chance she gets. (I love it!)

I happened to have my camera in my pocket and heard my little niece mimicking the prayer that was being said prior to dinner. I couldn't help but take a picture as it was such a precious site.

At the close of the evening, a short message was shared. Steve talked about taking the time to really get to know God. To find ways to magnify who He wants us to become and then become it! It was very inspiring and I know others including myself were uplifted and left with sense of taking on his challenge.

It's already been a day and we're looking forward to the time we can gather again next month and do it all over again. (I'm especially grateful It won't be my turn to cook chicken for an army for a few months.) We are truly blessed to have as much family as we do that live close enough that we can share a special Sunday evening like this once a month. It'll be a nice addition to 2011!

Joy in the Journey

I can't say I believe in the saying; " New Years resolutions". Maybe it's a personal thing I have with that phrase and the idea of people making lengthy lists of the things they are going to change or attempt to change in the coming year. I admit, I've made lists like these myself in the past only to find myself unmotivated or in the end, the task was never completed.

Over the past several years, I've taken a little different approach at things when I see January coming near. I tend to do a lot more reflecting on myself as a person, my relationship with God, the role I play in my family, and who God wants me to be. I then usually come up with some specific things to focus on and make more a priority per say. But for some reason, it's now a week into January and I still can't seem to pinpoint any specifics for myself that are maybe different than years past that I want to seek and do. My thoughts have been almost on overload with ideas and things I want to study. So much that It seems overwhelming.

Sometime before Christmas and New Years, Blake had mentioned to me a few of the things he was wanting to accomplish in the coming year. I thought his ideas were great and I appreciated him sharing them with me. It wasn't until I went to put some clothes away in his room yesterday, that I found the following taped to his wall just above his bed.

I could tell that he had truly given his list some thought. I loved how his number one thing was to grow closer to his Heavenly Father. Shouldn't that be our number one priority as well? I also loved that his list was so attainable yet very simple. His whole list was centered around things of God. ( even down to the saving $ 200.00 buckaroos!) I love it! I realized in that moment, that it's by doing the "basics" the Lord has asked us to do, is when we truly find joy in the journey. The ancient Roman philosopher Horace admonished, “Whatever hour God has blessed you with, take it with grateful hand, nor postpone your joys from year to year, so that in whatever place you have been, you may say that you have lived happily.”

Let us relish life as we live it, and each find joy in our journey. I'm so grateful for the simple innocent heart of a child that is there to remind me to keep things in perspective. Thanks for sharing your list Blake!

New Year - Fresh blogging start?

It's really sad when your children remind you often about the fact that you have a blog and they've missed logging on a reading anything posted by their Mother for quite some time. I'm embarrassed to say I only posted once in 2010. In January, no less. I can't say I'm here fix that completely or that I will be as diligent as I was when I first began blogging a few years ago, but I am here to say...I'm going to TRY and be better about getting my thoughts as well as family happenings down on paper so we'll hopefully have something to print off and put into a book the end of 2011.

McKenna Meets Laurie Roberts!

(Have I really not posted since July? Yikes! I'm really going to try to be better about keeping up on things in 2010!)

My best friends cousin happens to be a Christian music artist. We've been blessed to have a copy of her CD's and listen to them quite often. McKenna especially loves to listen to her music ANY chance she can. Don't get me wrong, we enjoy the music as well, but McKenna LOVES to listen to it ALL the time! In fact she has several of her songs memorized.

Last summer while on a trip home to Seattle, McKenna was asked who Laurie Roberts was while sitting at Ivar's Fish Bar on the waterfront downtown. (she was wearing her"sacred" as she calls it... Laurie Roberts t-shirt.) She even offered to sing a demo of her music to the lady and her 2 kids. It's obvious McKenna is a true fan!

McKenna and Laurie have been "pen pals" as McKenna calls it, for quite some time. ( Might I mention, I think they live a total of 10 miles from each other:)

McKenna's #1 item on her Birthday and Christmas list this year was get Laurie Roberts tickets with backstage passes! ( I love it!)

Needless to say, over Christmas break we surprised McKenna on a Sunday evening when we announced to her that we'd be going to a Christmas program at my friends church where she and Laurie would be involved in singing a variety of Christmas songs. McKenna FREAKED out to say the least. Then she went into a mode of being a bit nervous, then anxious, yet couldn't quite wait. She kept telling me " I can't believe I'm going to meet Laurie. Tonight! FINALLY!"

The night was perfect. It was a wonderful program and McKenna claims Laurie is everything she expected and more. I'm grateful that Laurie has influenced my sweet McKenna and blessed her little life with her music. I've always known music is a powerful thing and when it touches you like Laurie's music has touched my McKenna, it's something that leaves an imprint on your heart forever.

There is something special I love about this picture of McKenna on the Oregon Coast last summer wearing her Laurie Roberts t-shirt.

Seattle - July 2009

I've had many phone calls and emails in regards to my lack of blog post's over the past 4 months. I love the idea of blogging, so that I can print what I've posted each year and put it in a book. Kind of like family journaling. Anyway, I guess I just didn't realize how many of you were faithful readers. So for you, I'm back at it and maybe you'll inspire me to keep up better. :)
Last week the kids and I made a trip up to Seattle to see old friends. The main reason for the trip was to get together with my old "youth group" from church when I was younger. It was sooo fun and such a treat to see old friends I haven't seen in years. We had a gathering at a park one afternoon with our kids, then a dinner that evening. Ahhhh.... what great memories.


This is a picture of part of the group of us girl's. (I don't have a picture of the whole group :()

Aimee & I

One afternoon while we were there, we went to Seattle to do the waterfront. This is one of my kid's favorites. We started out at Pike's Place Market.

The kids always love to go watch the throwing of the fish! This time they even got their picture's taken. ( McKenna was a little grossed out, but a trooper. )

Next we headed down to Ivar's on the water. This is my favorite stop!

The kids LOVE to order french fries and could literally spend hours playing with and feeding the seagulls. It was defiantly fun to watch.

The rest of the week was spent with friends and family playing, going to the lake, hanging out at the pool, and just catching up on life. Good times!

McKenna & my cousin Lauren. We stayed with my Aunt & Uncle. The kids just LoVe being there as do I. McKenna especially enjoys hanging out with Lauren. Shes off to college next year. Willamette University.

The Kids and I sure missed Steve but had great week! It was good to get away from things and enjoy a taste of summer. I'm so blessed to have the kiddo's I do. They're so good to me.